Vikings extend Kendricks but have more work to do

The Minnesota Vikings announced today that they have signed LB Eric Kenricks to a 5-year extension, the first of a number of young starters who will be needing new contracts in the near future.

The Vikings made Eric Kendricks a very rich man on Monday, signing him to a 5-year extension worth $25 million guaranteed. Kendricks has started 41 games has recorded 209 tackles since his arrival from UCLA in 2015. Needless to say, he is a big part of what Mike Zimmer is trying to do on defense in Minnesota.

Kendricks should be considered one of the team’s top young players and locking him up for five more seasons is really the only option for the Vikings front office. A franchise tag or similar cap move could force the Vikings to let go of some young talent, thanks to salary cap limitations.

After signing Kirk Cousins, there is legitimate concern for the Vikings ability to sign all of their pending free agents in the near future. Eric Kendricks is capable of being a game changer for the Vikings and his ability to cover tight ends and running backs out of the back field is exactly what coaches are looking for in a LB. His production so far and his being a second round pick, lacking a fifth year option sends him to the front of the line for the extension.

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The NFL is an unpredictable place for a player but we can be pretty confident that barring injury, Kendricks should be able to play at a high level for the majority of his new contract. This signing is  good news for Vikings fans and there is a good chance there will be more extensions to come.